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Since, then, though, Aldo has apparently changed his mind. According to UFC president Dana White, Aldo has balked at the notion of defending his title against the former WEC lightweight champion.

"Jose Aldo came out and said ‘There's no way in hell I'm fighting Pettis,'" White told reporters following the UFC 157 post-fight press conference at the Honda Center. "He's absolutely refusing to fight Pettis. Doesn't think he deserves the shot."

According to White, Aldo's manager, Andre Pederneiras, met with White and Lorenzo Feritta last week in London and said his fighter won't take a bout with Pettis.

"He sat down with me and Lorenzo and he said "we don't think he deserves it," White said. ‘I said ‘What do you mean, you don't think he deserves it?' I said ‘Are you out of your f--- mind? Are you serious, did you seriously just ask that question?' It's like if Aldo wanted to move up to 155, we're going to say he's not the No. 1 contender? What are you talking about?"

A planned Aldo-Pettis fight has drawn quite a bit of reaction from MMA fans, both pro and con. On one hand, purists don't believe Pettis, winner of three straight fights and seven of his past eight, should be granted an immediate shot at the champion of another weight class. On the other, the bout from a stylistic standpoint looks to be a potential thriller, at a time when there's no clear-cut number-one contender at featherweight for Aldo, who hasn't lost since 2005.

White's in the latter camp, and he insists he'll get his way in the end.

"That's fight's on," White said. "He's going to fight Pettis or he's not going to like how this is going to turn out."

Really?? And what tough guy wannabe Dana is going to do? He is going to cut Aldo or strip him of the belt? LOL

Pasha, control that rage my friend.

Why are you upset with Dana that Aldo refuses to fight Pettis?

I am tired of hearing about champs complaining about their opponents. A real champ will take on who ever his promotion lines him up against and instead of complaining will dispose of the threat like a real champ.

Aldo is employed by a company who makes fights based on PPV buy rates or fan appeal over true sportsmanship or earned title shots.. That is the poison he chose.

I love this. Champions shouldn't be allowed to turn down fights no matter what their reasoning is.

I think champions should be allowed to turn down - or at least question - fights, when the "challenger" hasn't even fought in the division in which he's campaigning for a title shot.

Aldo is young and has plenty of time to cement his legacy in 'super fights' (I hate that term) with big names, but for now Aldo should be fighting legitimate featherweight contenders, and no one else.
Give Pettis a fight (or two) at 145, then (and if) sign the Aldo fight, not before.

Maybe throw him on the main event of an FX card or make him a co main on a ppv.. I have no idea what'll happen but come on Aldo, champs shouldn't turn down anyone. I hope he doesn't pull a bones here.

Bones is still fighting Sonnen though, he just stated he needed more time to train for some reason. This is right in line with what Anderson Silva does. Bisping was some how a worthy opponent until his recent loss, but Weidman doesn't deserve a title shot because he is "unworthy". If Aldo and his management really believe Pettis doesn't deserve it, then they are on crack. This is more of where a fight poses a bad matchup and why they don't want it, a la Anderson and Weidman